Means for punching paper



July 31, 1934- A. GLAESER MEANS FOR PUNCHING PAPER Filed OC'b. 25, 3.931

/L/)K A TTORNEYS.

Patented `uly 934 UITED STATES meent PATENT 9 Claims.

This invention relates to means for punching paper and more particularly to an adjustable device for punching sheets to prepare them for ling in suitable binders orsimilar devices.

I-Iitherto it has been proposed to provide punching devices of various kinds, certain of which were provided with a base and a die plate carried by the base and having openings therein positioned in accordance with the spacing of the perforations to be made, punched to cooperate with the die plate and provided with guides for the punches, separate helical springs being provided for holding the punches normally in the raised position, and a comparatively long lever device for actuating punches.

In my prior Patents Nos. 1,687,758 and 1,738,572 there has been disclosed an improved paper punch having certain features of adjustability.

'Ihe present device is an improvement on the construction shown and described in :my prior patents above identified and involves the use of laterally adjustable punch mechanisms, together with an improved power applying system for use with the punches.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved punching machine for punching paper characterized by a compound leverage system.

It is also an object of this invention to provide such an improved paper punch in which a plurality of mutually adjustable punches are caused to be operated by a single compound lever.

Another object of this invention is the provision of improved unitary punch and die units with integral locking means.

A further object of this invention is to provide such integral punch and die mechanism which are mutually adjustable and which are adapted for a common operation.

Yet a further object of the invention is the provision of an improved punch mechanism which is adapted to serve as a two-hole or a three-hole punch at will.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved structure of die plate in association with the dies so that they both may be adjusted as desired. In most instances such die plates have only one opening for receiving the cooperating punches. Thus, usually when any adjustments are made, both the punch and the die plate are moved together.

'Ihese and other desirable objects andadvantages of the present invention will be described in the accompanying specication and illustrated in the drawing, a certain preferred embodiment being disclosed by way of example only, for, since the underlying principles may be incorporated in other specific mechanical devices, it is not intended to be limited to the ones here shown except as such limitations are clearly imposed by the appended claims.

In the drawing like numerals refer to similar parts in the several views, of which Fig. 1 is a frontelevation of the improved .paper punch;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1, certain portions being broken away to show a punch carriage and associated parts;

Fig. 3 isa vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing a compound leverage 70 system and fixed punch; Fig. 4 is a vertical section takenron the line 4 4" of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation vof the structure shown in Fig. 4.

The improved paper punch of the present invention comprises a base 6 having a plurality of centrally and longitudinally disposed uprights '7, 8, 9 and 10 formed integrally therewith. These uprights are tapped to receive a pair of shafts 11 80 journalled in the said arms and which serve to hold a presser bar 12 of the punch in position. 'Ihe presser bar is provided at either end and at the center with depending lugs 13 respectively abutting the pivots 7, 8, 9 and 10 and being held 85 in position by the rods 11 previously noted. The presser bar is provided on its forward aspect or front edge witha pair of lateral lugs 14 and 15 for actuating the punches 16 and 17. The presser bar, in addition, is provided at its central portion 90 with a closed yoke 18 having a depending lug at its rear portion forming part of a compound leverage system, to be described more in detail hereinafter, and at its forward portion itis provided with means adapted to impinge on or actu- 95 ateacentral fixed punch 23.

The compound leverage system for actuating the presser bar comprises a rocking member or arm 19 secured at one end to a hand plate 20 by means of a hollow central post 22. The lever member or rocking bar 19 is pivoted at 21 and is adapted to engage the rear portion of the yoke 18 in sliding contact and cause the member 12 to be rotated on the central lugs 13 about the shafts 11 as an axis. This upward and forward 105 movement causes the lugs 1'4 and 15 and the central forward portion of the yoke 18 to respectively engage the plungers of the punches and to operate the same. It will be appreciated that by providing such an improved compound leverage system i. the combination herein disclosed a maximum ol pressure may be caused to be applied to the punch element while requiring a minimum outlay oi energy to be applied to the member 20. This eiliciency in operation permits the use of a relatively small presser plate adapted to be actuated by hand and does away with the necessity l'or the use of a relatively long actuating handle to secure the same mechanical efficiency. While a plate been described as a preferred oper ting member, it will, of course, be understood that any other mechanism adapted to perform the same function, such, for example, as a lever, may be used. In addition, considerably less space is taken up by the completed machine where it is not necessary to use a long actuating handle.

The central punch member or plunger 23 and its associated die plate 24 are severally secured to the 6 by any suitable means such as screws 25, while the punches 16 and 17 are formed with their associated die plates 26 and 27 formed integral with the carriages or supports 28, or secured thereto in any desired manner, the units being laterally adjustable with respect to the fi' ed central punch 23. Punches 16 and 17 are mounted in carriages 28 which are formed as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 with base portions having vertical barrels 29 formed integral therewith and in which the punch members proper operate. The base of the carriage is slotted, as shown in Fig. 5, to accommodate die plate 30 which is secured thereto in any suitable manner, thereby main dining the die in operative relation with the punch. The carriages 23 are adjustably secured to the base 6 by stud bolts 31 having at heads thereon, which are adapted to cooperate with a slot 32 formed in the base plate, one of each or" such slots being provided for the several adjustable punches. The head of the stud bolt engages the slot in a manner to be described more in detail hereinafter.

The upper surfaces of the members 28 are it ined with cam faces 33 upon which ride cams 34. The stud bolt 31 is screwed to the cam member and is free to rotate thereon. The cam formed with a square post 35 upon which a suitable handle 36 is fixedly secured by means of a screw 57, or other suitable means. The base or the machine, as noted above, is provided with rectangular channel portions 38 connecting with the slots 32 but having a width equal to that of the heads of the bolts 31. The heads of the bolts 3l are fitted into these channels and are thus prevented from rotation when the cam 34 is rotated by the handle 36. When the latter member is rotated the screw draws a cam into engagement with the cam on the carriage and, as the cam member is further rotated, it rides upon the cam face 33 and, due to the cooperation of the threads or bolts 31, the clamping action is increased and the carriage is locked in the desired position.

Guide plates may be secured at either or both ends of the base or" the machine, being tted into slots on the upper surface thereof, or secured to the under side thereof. As shown, one of the plates 39 may be provided with a slot 40 in which is positioned an adjustable stock member 41 to aid in the adjustment oi sheets of paper in the punching device. Slots 42 are formed in the base directly under the punch members, and or suilicient length to permit punchings to fall out, no matter what positions the punches are set in.

The punches may be or" any suitable metal, such as steel, and the frame may be of any suitable metal such as cast iron, bronze, brass, aluminum, etc., and may be of any suitable coniiguration. The punches are preferred as being circular, as shown. They are positioned in the barrels 29 and are held in retracted position by means of a spring member 43 which rests on arms 44 secured to the end posts 7 and 10. This member 43 may be of spring steel and it is slotted, as shown at 46 to receive the squared upper portions 47 of the punches, the latter being held in contact with the spring member by means of cotter pins. Each of the carriages 28 is provided with a supporting arm 45 which furnishes intermediate support for the spring. The slots 46 permit the lateral adjustment of the punches 16 and 17 Without interfering with the action of the spring. When the punches are depressed by the action of the presser bar the spring is distorted at a number oi points until the presser bar is released, at which time the spring returns to normal, thereby retracting the punches from out of the dies. The dies may be provided with squares 48 to facilitate the accurate location of the punches.

In operation the carriages containing the punches 16 and 17 are adjusted with respect to the fixed punch 23 and are locked in place by proper manipulation of the members 36. A sheet of paper 49 is then placed in position, using the member 41 as a guide for one edge thereof.

he hand plate 20 is then depressed and operates the presser bar through the medium of the compound leverage system pressing the rocker bar 19. The several punches 16, 17 and 23 are thus forced through the paper. Upon the release of the hand plate the spring 43, which has been distorted in a plurality of points, returns to its normal position, retracting the punch members to their several inoperative positions.

lThe punch 16 in cooperation with the xed punch 23 is adapted to serve as a two-hole punch in which the distance between the holes may be varied as desired, a suitable variation adapted to handle the smaller commercial sizes of paper being one in which the distance between the cen ters of the punches i6 and 23 may vary between 2% to 41/4 inches. By suitably adjusting the guide member 41, any desired size of paper can be accommodated. Where three holes are to be used the punches 16, 17 and 23 will be used, punches 16 and 17 being adapted to be variably adjusted with respect to the xed punch 23, and with respect to each other. These members are adapted when at their outermost positions to take care of the largest commercial sizes of paper now in use, the average range between the punch 16 and 17 for three-hole Work being between 6 and 81/2 inches.

it will thus be seen that the improved device herein described is adapted to punch two to three holes, as desired, and that the punching may be in the smallest commercial sizes of paper and up to and including the largest commercial sizes, and all intermediate sizes.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the improved device of the present invention comprises a compact, eflicient punch having a plurality of punching members mutually adjustable with respect to each other, the whole being simple and efficient in operationA and easy to manufacture. By the inclusion of the improved compound leverage system in the operating mechanism the mechanical eiiiciency of the instrument is markedly increased, thereby permitting a more compact device than would be possible in other like devices requiring the use of an extending operating handle or lever. lt is also readily apparent that the improved locking mechanism used in conjunction with the punch carriages is very eiiicient and positive in operation. The use of a single positively acting spring member appreciably reduces the number of parts required, thus permitting important savings in initial manufacturing and operating costs.

It will further be noted that the improved type of punch herein disclosed is readily adjustable for operation with any size of paper and is readily operable with the least pressure on the hand operating member. Also, this improved construction is compact, having no extending lever, is rmly fixed after adjusting thereby eliminating undesirable punching, but at the same time permits material iiexibility in the use of the machine.

It is also to be noted that this novel construction of the machine permits the use of one, two or three punches at a time, depending upon the number of punches and position of punching desired.

It will be understood that the invention is capable of various modifications and changes, but such modifications and changes are to be considered as being within the scope of this invention, as outlined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a paper punching device, a base, a stationary center carriage, a plurality of adjustable carriages mounted in guide-ways formed in said base, at least one of said adjustable carriages being on each side of said center carriage, a punch in each of said carriages and cam actuated means provided in each of the carriages except the center carriage for locking each of said carriages in adjusted relation with said base, substantially all of said cam means being located above said base.

2. In a paper punching device, a base, a plurality of carriages laterally adjustable on said base, a punch positioned in each of said carriages, a leaf spring associated with said carriages for holding the punches normally retracted, and means comprising arms formed on the said carriages for supporting said spring.

3. In a paper punching device, a base, a punch, a die associated therewith, a lever system for operating said punch, a handle at the top of the machine for operating said lever system, said handle being mounted to tip toward the front of the machine during its movement, a carriage laterally adjustable on said base and carrying said punch and die, a stud bolt, a cam formed on the upper face of said carriage and a cam follower cooperating with said stud and cam for clamping said carriage in adjustable relation with said base.

4. In a multi-punch paper punching device having a plurality of adjustable punch mechanisms, a common operating means for said mechanism comprising a compound leverage system including a presser bar and an operating member having a rocker arm adapted for contact with said presser bar, said presser arm and rocker arm having rearwardly disposed yokes forming respectively points of contact oi coacting first class levers in the said compound leverage system.

5. In a multi-punch paper punching device having a plurality of adjustable punch mechanisms, cam mechanisms for locking said device on said frame, a common operating means for said mechanism comprising a compound leverage system including a pivoted presser bar and an integral yoke on said bar, and an operating member having a rocker arm adapted for contact with said yoke.

6. In a paper punch having a base and having a plurality of punches and cooperating dies mounted thereon, a plurality of vertical arms formed on said base, a presser bar rotatably mounted on a shaft between said arms and in substantially the central longitudinal axis of the said base, said bar being adapted to operate said punches, a rocker arm, rotatably mounted on a second shaft and cooperating with said presser bar, said rocker arm shaft being displaced rearwardly and downwardly and parallel with respect to said presser bar shaft, and operating means for said rocker arm comprising a lever secured to said arm and adapted for forward operative movement, the said rocker arm and presser bar comprising a compound leverage system.

7. In a paper punch mechanism of the type described the combination of a plurality of punch mechanisms, a presser bar pivoted to operate said punches, said bar having a short arm between its pivot point and said punches and having its longer arm extending backwardly from said pivot point, a rocker arm pivoted further from said punches than said presser bar and arranged to have the shorter arm of said rocker arm engage the longer arm of said presser bar and to have the longer arm of said rocker arm extend forward from the pivot point toward the punch mechanisms, and a handle for operating the longer arm of said rocker arm to operate the compound lever system to apply increased power to the punch mechanisms.

8. In a paper punch mechanism of the type described, the combination of a plurality of punch mechanisms, a presser bar pivoted to operate said punches, said bar having a short arm between its pivot point and said punches, and having its longer arm extending backwardly from said pivot point, a rocker arm pivoted below and at a point back of the pivoted point of said presser bar, said rocker arm having its shorter arm engaging the longer arm of said presser bar and having its longer arm extend toward said punch mechanisms, a handle for operating said rocker arm at the end of its longer arm and through the combined lever system to exert material force on the punch mechanisms.

9. In a paper punch, a base, a plurality of punches and cooperating dies mounted thereon, a plurality of vertical arms formed on said base, a presser bar rotatably mounted on a shaft between said arms and adapted to operate said punches, said presser bar being located to pivot just behind said punches and at a level below the top of said punches, a rocker arm rotatably mounted on a second shaft, and cooperating with the longer arm of said presser bar, an actuating member operatively secured to and operating at right angles to said rocker arm, said actuating member acting on the longer arm of said rocker arm, said longer arm extending toward the front of said paper punch, said shafts being spaced apart whereby to increase the power of said rocker arm, and both said presser bar and said rocker arm operating in close proximity to said punches, the said rocker arm and presser bar comprising a compound leverage system.

ADO GLAESER.

IilO 

